[Merged] BB/FS - Playbook $20 Price Drop - $179.99, $229.99 ,$279.99

[mk316]

Noticed this while browsing today. Looks like they are clearing inventory now...

Adding to the fuel of an impending release of the LTE tablet is a new PlayBook sale starting this Friday. This deal is at big box retailer Best Buy and will see a $20 price drop on all Wi-Fi only BlackBerry PlayBooks. The prices will fall to $179.99 for the 16GB, $229.99 for the 32GB, and $279.99 for the 64GB.

http://mobilesyrup.com/2012/08/02/blackberry-playbooks-receiving-a-20-price-drop-tomorrow/

BB links:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/category/blackberry-tablets/31042.aspx

[BluePhirePB]

$20 is $20 but it's not that big a drop. I would have thought BB would give it a larger price drop to try and clear out inventory ASAP.

Thanks for the post!

[Max_Dealing]

I hope they don't liquidate the whole stock and abandon it. I rather like my playbook for the price point. It has bugs but so does Microsoft.

Here is to Blackberry pulling up it's socks and getting back in the game it does so well in, Business.

[mk316]

Why was this moved from the Hot Deals section? It is a deal not a discussion of electronics...

[pauldryan]

I agree. Please put it back in Hot Deals.

[mikesxf]

:yawn playbook price dropped again...

[Said212]

If only it could support Skype....for new that's a crucial feature. What happened to access to all android apps? BB should just become part of.Google and android and make the business looking phones.

[eladmk]

bb already dropped the price
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/category/blackberry-tablets/31042.aspx

fs still has 199, so if you pm now you save another 2 dollars.
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/category/playbook/pcblackberryplaybook.aspx

[smpmush]

Why was this moved from the Hot Deals section? It is a deal not a discussion of electronics...

Because it's not a NCIX deal/sale..Otherwise it would have been left alone and locked..Funny how that works.. I think the price needs to drop a little more to make PB's a "buy" again..

[Winkle]

Photos of a 10 inch PlayBook has also been making the rounds on the web the past few days now.

RIM should really give up the ghost and abandon their BB platform entirely, it's a dead weight that's dragging down their sinking ship. They may still be able to revive themselves somewhat if they adopted Android full bore.

[Max_Dealing]

Valid point, I to what point the hot deals section has become sponsor favored. At some point it maybe sponsor only..

[datacipher]

I don't think so....they wouldn't be able to distinguish themselves among Android vendors, nor compete against Samsung...

A few years ago, I told everyone that RIM was going to die, and die faster than anybody thought...even in business....now (almost) everyone concedes it is dying.

The truth is...they ARE dead. There is no coming back now...not even a hail mary pass to hope for. There last buzzer shot would have been if they could have gotten QNX out, about 6-12 months ago, and had it been flawless....with no bugs. As it turns out...they couldn't even get the playbook out without it being half-baked.

It doesn't matter now, even if they do get the new OS out. It won't matter. I think RIM insiders know this, and are probably just putting up a front, while looking for a bail-out plan (buyout, merger, etc)...which they hint at. I don't think the new CEO believed in BB10 even months ago....hopefully he isn't that much of a fool.

[Longobongo]

they should've pulled a hp, firesale the playbook and leave the tablet space, they really need to focus on their phones before its too late...

[a1qwyx20]

Honestly i really like my playbook, used android necus 7, ipad 2, galaxy tab 10.1, and in the end i keep going back to it while selling two of the orhers, sure it doesnt have all the apps but the 150$ for 32 gigs and just using it for browsing is great

[nelly29]

Still waiting for the $99 PB as that is all I think it is worth due to its lack of applications

[kool1]

If only it could support Skype....for new that's a crucial feature. What happened to access to all android apps? BB should just become part of.Google and android and make the business looking phones.

I have heard that Skype will come late 2012.

Hope so but still love my Playbook.

[Arky33]

They announced a new 4G Playbook this very morning!

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/research-in-motion-introduces-the-new-ultra-powerful-ultra-portable-and-ultra-fast-4g-lte-blackberry-playbook-tablet-2012-08-02-8173311

[DragOnT]

I think they have missed the ship / train / plane / rocket far too many times.

[kool1]

I think they have missed the ship / train / plane / rocket far too many times.

You may be right but the market for smart phones and tablets especially is still in its earlier stages.

[mikka1989]

its only hot if it drops to $99 like that HP touchpad!

[kevwo]

lol might as well post RIM stock dropping price in Hot Deals.

[Longobongo]

its only hot if it drops to $99 like that HP touchpad!

+1

[Saturate]

You may be right but the market for smart phones and tablets especially is still in its earlier stages.

That was before Google brought all the hype surrounding Nexus 7. I was hoping that Playbook would embrace Android Market, but now it's just App World. Seeing as how New York Times announced that they have discontinued its BB app, it's just more negative press for PB.

[sixer]

Great deal, definitely the best built and fastest tablet at this price point.

[stratux]

I am letting go my new playbook just bought for cheap! $179.99 is a great deal! pm me

[Skiguy53]

They announced a new 4G Playbook this very morning!

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/research-in-motion-introduces-the-new-ultra-powerful-ultra-portable-and-ultra-fast-4g-lte-blackberry-playbook-tablet-2012-08-02-8173311

And the bottom line - RIM still releasing new hardware that the mass market does not want
A new playbook release at this time is a bad new story
It means RIM resources are not focus on it's core market - what about an on-time release of BB10 or QNX

the impact of RIM's strategy - staff layoffs and store closings

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/rim-eyes-further-reductions-closes-blackberry-store/article4457143/

[thehockeyguy]

they should've pulled a hp, firesale the playbook and leave the tablet space, they really need to focus on their phones before its too late...

agree... with apple ipad mini coming out in sept... it's gonna kill the playbook..

[smartie]

I don't think so....they wouldn't be able to distinguish themselves among Android vendors, nor compete against Samsung...

A few years ago, I told everyone that RIM was going to die, and die faster than anybody thought...even in business....now (almost) everyone concedes it is dying.

The truth is...they ARE dead. There is no coming back now...not even a hail mary pass to hope for. There last buzzer shot would have been if they could have gotten QNX out, about 6-12 months ago, and had it been flawless....with no bugs. As it turns out...they couldn't even get the playbook out without it being half-baked.

It doesn't matter now, even if they do get the new OS out. It won't matter. I think RIM insiders know this, and are probably just putting up a front, while looking for a bail-out plan (buyout, merger, etc)...which they hint at. I don't think the new CEO believed in BB10 even months ago....hopefully he isn't that much of a fool.

But if you look at how success Samsung is. You still can distinguish yourself from other players even you use android

[datacipher]

But if you look at how success Samsung is. You still can distinguish yourself from other players even you use android

Yes, somewhat, partly due to android makers being unable to put together a truly polished, complete package. However, I wasn't saying that nobody can make a distinct Android tablet (though it's tough...at any given time, one of the other companies may release a tablet that trumps/matches yours....it's a real dogfight), I'm saying RIM couldn't....they can't even release a decent product of their own OS and hardware, when you add in the headstart in android that the competitors have, the fact that their reputation is tarnished, and that they don't have the money/resources to go toe to toe with a Samsung.....it wouldn't work out.

In the phone area, they would have the advantage of combining their keyboard with android....but that is becoming an increasingly old card, as people, even the BB keyboard faithful, are slowly weaning off it, and adapting to touch screens. The best I could envision for them in that scenario is a slower fade-out....malaise eventually into nothingness....

[lorax1284]

RIM should really give up the ghost and abandon their BB platform entirely, it's a dead weight that's dragging down their sinking ship. They may still be able to revive themselves somewhat if they adopted Android full bore.

If you google "RIM Android" you'll probably finds lots of reasons why RIM adopting Android would be a massive mistake. This suggestion is old and tired, and couldn't possibly lead to any kind of long-term shareholder value for RIM shareholders.

[navsimpson]

With the Nexus 7 only a few dollars more, I can't see any reason to buy this - even at half the price. Now that Google have mostly fixed the laggy interface, what possible benefit could there be to getting a Playbook when the app selection, Google integration and availability of media (books, music apps, and movies) is vastly better on the Nexus 7?

[residentcgull]

There was an EPP at Futureshop a couple of weeks ago for the 32gb at $124.99, they did the same thing with the touchpads right before they dropped in price. I was sure they were going to start clearing these out by now.

[sleepyguy]

$99 sounds about right... these this are so lame now. Businesses don't even want to support them.

[palmer]

Just don't waste your money on these! Horrible app store, apple and google have better business apps too, Microsoft is hitting the business market hard this fall for tablets, oh and BB is basically done especially after 10 flops because no one cares now. This company has lost touch, especially since they suddenly think now would be a good time to release new cellular 3g/4g versions of their tablets! Lol what?

[Techbig]

I just got the new Futureshop and Bestbuy flyers and apparently they dropped the price of the playbook even more, now that the nexus 7 is out.

These are the new prices:

16GB $179.99
32GB $229.99
64GB $279.99

The prices online aren't adjusted yet, it says that the deal starts tomorrow (3 Aug).

[AlmostAscended]

This exact same thread is literally on the front page; you didn't even have to search for it to see it. Please actually read and make sure you aren't reposting, thanks.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/bb-playbook-20-price-drop-179-99-229-99-279-99-a-1210125/

[aeba7]

Repost, (http://forums.redflagdeals.com/bb-playbook-20-price-drop-179-99-229-99-279-99-a-1210125/) but thanks nonetheless!

[Techbig]

Sorry, I searched but didn't find the thread.

[AlmostAscended]

Sorry, I searched but didn't find the thread.

No, you didn't search, because if you had you wouldn't have posted this thread.

[chimp]

Even at 99, I am not sure I want to pay for the BB now. For on the road it is not much larger than S3(both are still a bit too small for full screen browsing) and for in the couch use, a 10" is probably better anyway.

[AlmostAscended]

Even at 99, I am not sure I want to pay for the BB now. For on the road it is not much larger than S3(both are still a bit too small for full screen browsing) and for in the couch use, a 10" is probably better anyway.

7" should be fine for on the go browsing; heck, tons if people browse on their tiny phones just fine for some reason

[chimp]

7" should be fine for on the go browsing; heck, tons if people browse on their tiny phones just fine for some reason

I didn't mean it is not fine but not worth the carrying weight and bulk. S3 or Note is ~5" and 100 something gram vs the close to a pound weight of BB.

[Priestlydoolong]

I don't remember if it was the Best Buy or the Futureshop flyer I was looking at this morning, but the Acer Iconia 7" is going to be $199 starting tomorrow. I would buy that one before the Playbook. It's 8gb, but 32gb micro SD cards can be found for $20-$25 every once in a while. I am happy with my Nexus 7 right now though.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/acer-acer-iconia-7-8gb-tablet-a100-07s08h-a100-07s08h/10169201.aspx?path=6349561a1065d9f469fd19c2c61e329 4en02

[flashx]

agree... with apple ipad mini coming out in sept... it's gonna kill the playbook..

Playbook doesn't need iPad mini to kill it. Nexus 7 has been selling out like hot cakes. It's definitely taking a chunk out of the playbook market if there are any desire left for anyone to buy a playbook at all.

[Coz4k]

Still not 99$

[fudge_u]

No, you didn't search, because if you had you wouldn't have posted this thread.

Let it go... it's a n00b.

[rougeflagdeal]

Os was updated today.
Version 2.0.1.668

[XmsrpX]

With the Nexus 7 only a few dollars more, I can't see any reason to buy this - even at half the price. Now that Google have mostly fixed the laggy interface, what possible benefit could there be to getting a Playbook when the app selection, Google integration and availability of media (books, music apps, and movies) is vastly better on the Nexus 7?

Aren't the nexus 7's falling apart in people's hands and plagued with all sorts of build quality issues?

[XmsrpX]

Just don't waste your money on these! Horrible app store, apple and google have better business apps too, Microsoft is hitting the business market hard this fall for tablets, oh and BB is basically done especially after 10 flops because no one cares now. This company has lost touch, especially since they suddenly think now would be a good time to release new cellular 3g/4g versions of their tablets! Lol what?

Apparently they are going to attempt this with the upcoming Zune Tablet.

[Kurtz7834]

If you google "RIM Android" you'll probably finds lots of reasons why RIM adopting Android would be a massive mistake. This suggestion is old and tired, and couldn't possibly lead to any kind of long-term shareholder value for RIM shareholders.

+1 RIM needs to focus 100% on the business / corporate market and abandon consumers. Its *only* competitive advantage is security and enterprise features / deployment. And in security it continues to destroy both Android and iOS, although Android is catching up. It will still be a few years before Android is ready for the enterprise.

As a Playbook owner I've been fairly disappointed with the tablet. The hardware is great but the app ecosystem is not there. It's decent for light gaming, Youtube and browsing though. I can't really recommend it though, and it seems like it will never get Skype or Netflix support at this point.

[kool1]

+1 RIM needs to focus 100% on the business / corporate market and abandon consumers. Its *only* competitive advantage is security and enterprise features / deployment. And in security it continues to destroy both Android and iOS, although Android is catching up. It will still be a few years before Android is ready for the enterprise.

As a Playbook owner I've been fairly disappointed with the tablet. The hardware is great but the app ecosystem is not there. It's decent for light gaming, Youtube and browsing though. I can't really recommend it though, and it seems like it will never get Skype or Netflix support at this point.

You can not abandon the consumer market because the corporate and consumer market are closer and more inertwined all the time.

Playbook / BB10 will get Netflix and Skype, its been hinted many times. No apps are not as many as the other 2 platforms but its not that bad either - most of the basics are there as well a lot of great games.

We have an ipad and a playbook so I have seen it all. Ipad is no doubt the most polished product but I still choose Playbook over it on the road all the time.

[kool1]

With the Nexus 7 only a few dollars more, I can't see any reason to buy this - even at half the price. Now that Google have mostly fixed the laggy interface, what possible benefit could there be to getting a Playbook when the app selection, Google integration and availability of media (books, music apps, and movies) is vastly better on the Nexus 7?

Just as much media on the Playbook, HDMI out on the Playbook, rear camera, 2x the memory for less $, better e-mail integration, better quality hardware, BBM in the new year.

Nexus 7 has more apps yes. That's about it.